tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52563749448959496962024-03-14T01:36:13.761-05:00Eclectic Design Choices - Designs for Your LifeGood design adds beauty and function to our lives.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.comBlogger539125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-23184749712462629042022-09-19T15:31:00.000-05:002022-09-19T15:31:13.887-05:00C Stein's "Cedar Elm Roots" Photographic Art Print Selected to be a Part of Plantarium 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgy8rSKfamyL8LB-3CW9Oq4n9IsCno32kvxb_3Xl_HD6h3LopVQHk-lOVVMJfrjmnF45Bu3x3-AlCnI2Cmq8FuUSmSSN0hVS4IoS-WdNmcr9BGPMr0w_jwFOCXbtNA20lZwJ3uzqzS1ab7x5kFMgs0e8laMA5vToZhRsqo-1xqzt5GFLueC2t_66bug/s1499/plantarium%202022%20poster.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgy8rSKfamyL8LB-3CW9Oq4n9IsCno32kvxb_3Xl_HD6h3LopVQHk-lOVVMJfrjmnF45Bu3x3-AlCnI2Cmq8FuUSmSSN0hVS4IoS-WdNmcr9BGPMr0w_jwFOCXbtNA20lZwJ3uzqzS1ab7x5kFMgs0e8laMA5vToZhRsqo-1xqzt5GFLueC2t_66bug/s600/plantarium%202022%20poster.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
(Click to enlarge.)</div>
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From the Plantarium 2022 press release:
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Gallerium Art Exhibitions proudly presents PLANTARIUM 2022 Smart International Online Group Exhibition. The exhibition has been opened on September 15 and will remain on view until October 15, 2022.
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Plantarium 2022, an international juried dual art exhibition, represents plants and our deep roots and relationship with trees, leaves, flowers, and greeny grass on the planet earth.
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Countries: 23<br/>
United States, Japan, Hungary, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Portugal, China (PR), United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain, Sweden, France, Israel, Bulgaria, Iceland, Ireland, Russia, Malawi
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<a href="https://www.gallerium.art/plantarium-2022" target="_blank">Visit PLANTARIUM 2022</a>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-57490393608344201592022-09-08T08:47:00.002-05:002022-09-08T08:47:34.387-05:00Eclectic Design Choices in Person Selling EventsDuring the next 30 days I have two upcoming in person selling events. If you get a chance, come out and say hi and see some of my new items.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/simply.divune" target="_blank" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0em 1em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="275" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="1967" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnI0RtUCiAUYqqYIJ_FmTGNrA1PBJ-pZzonw3giqRZvt_j0VZBITtspGqAXmajMUatLSJSvbnUOdQV6e6lvsqisZN710sWGxeW5kumY3zedzCKeaiAv_xFhNJobJF4rtl7q4DG6_ThH1mUovJ7krJO_NdO5rFpcaMJoO_0DN74NInV4ePvjbSwBS88A/s1600/Simply%20Divune%20logo2.jpg"/></a>
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On Saturday, September 17 I will be at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/2230+W+Park+Row+Dr,+Pantego,+TX+76013/@32.7209344,-97.1445283,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864e7ce6ffe05d87:0xa23bf226823b663!8m2!3d32.7209344!4d-97.1445283" target="_blank">Simply Divune Cafe in Pantego</a> from 9am-3pm during their third Saturday brunch. Look for me under the front windows along with two other local artisans. At this event I will be bringing a large selection of my jewelry and accessory creations.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM7IISVxFGQXcDy1XMKkckhDEs5XmJV2mvI7JOq8wHep4uWt9kfbj7_tadMf_JSvTABSXqDDzKdSZg7El1sECGeTQg_mfEyUoP7DIWnburELlrbfDQXAvethjPYKJCCySp_GK9cxNIQda5jrtId0mOMWxW6vG7b-yvhSbOdEw5nHeglyaj4MDjKWiHQ/s827/Autumn%20Trinity%20Flyer.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="652" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM7IISVxFGQXcDy1XMKkckhDEs5XmJV2mvI7JOq8wHep4uWt9kfbj7_tadMf_JSvTABSXqDDzKdSZg7El1sECGeTQg_mfEyUoP7DIWnburELlrbfDQXAvethjPYKJCCySp_GK9cxNIQda5jrtId0mOMWxW6vG7b-yvhSbOdEw5nHeglyaj4MDjKWiHQ/s320/Autumn%20Trinity%20Flyer.jpg"/></a></div>
On Saturday and Sunday, October 8 (10am-5pm) and October 9 (10am-4pm) I will be a vendor at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/3300+Bryant+Irvin+Rd,+Fort+Worth,+TX+76109/@32.7021462,-97.413465,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864e7294d4a81ccf:0x67ec6ab5063290e4!8m2!3d32.7021462!4d-97.413465" target="_blank">Artisans by the Trinity</a>. This is also an indoor event. I will have a selection of my photographic art and jewelry creations at this show.
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If you are ever wondering where you can find me or my creations in person, I try to keep my <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/p/offline.html" target="_blank">offline blog tab</a> updated with that information.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-90065502466284836442022-05-18T08:39:00.002-05:002022-05-18T08:39:31.288-05:00Support Monarch Butterflies through Seeds of Spring Silent Auction<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://mjv.betterworld.org/auctions/seeds-of-spring-2022/items/033-cathy-stein-eclectic-design" target="_blank" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 0.3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V5tuaZk62vCCrdta7sg62Yo-Sbbr_Tn_5R5gejK93W2GPnLYU1PkN4UAK5xEymS3NnXxkY-l0kr4wp4oWJyH5XmIBg0u9Q98BD6pzxFKPyB0Cg7EgChI05ag7QEGmi7O__PnWRrM5gKQpLyScFAwVt9H8MMA44jmgbJaDpSQumi4ciTONz_SVwMDPw/s320/monarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am pleased to participate again in <a href="https://mjv.betterworld.org/auctions/seeds-of-spring-2022" target="_blank">Monarch Joint Venture's silent auction fundraiser</a>. Proceeds from this fundraiser advance MJV's work in protecting monarchs and their migration, and collaborating with partners to deliver habitat conservation, education, and science across the United States.
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For this auction <a href="https://mjv.betterworld.org/auctions/seeds-of-spring-2022/items/033-cathy-stein-eclectic-design" target="_blank">I have donated a set of eight blank note cards that feature a photographic art image of a monarch</a> that I created. The note cards are individually wrapped in a clear sleeve, along with an envelope. The bid price includes shipping to the winning bidder's address. As of this writing, the auction has only recently begun and already they have received the minimum bid.
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The bidding closes at 8:00pm CST on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. There are lots of great items that have been donated. Please consider helping raise funds to support monarch butterflies by bidding on any items that speak to you.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-1963443118332737122022-03-01T19:58:00.000-06:002022-03-01T19:58:02.010-06:00Wildflower of the Year (2022) According to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterThis year, <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/woty-2022" target="_blank">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has named blanketflower, or firewheel, its wildflower of the year</a>. I commend this flower too. It bursts into glorious color (mostly reds and yellows) over a long period of spring and early summer across much of the United States. In Texas it can often be found covering large sections of open fields alongside bluebonnets.
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I snapped several photos of blanketflowers when I visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center a few years ago. To celebrate it being named wildflower of the year I created a couple of photographic art versions of one of the images. You can click on them for a larger view. Out of curiosity, which version do you like better?
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXUM6qfBp0t3NiIOO_ffWxD73t7heeKvnRhw1wCmyNZNsj6vjIE5TvFve-wzV4o22vGF5WxtT9qn_rZCu7JFa86OCfzU7Vy3bs1Lqy7POqnki3to34M5ojfleu7v9lLAJ6_WIF24Scus77eeIXcN5jDNI2d7Emgm5zFa-6_FbjwNzCl3JYaxLco8x-VA=s1440" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXUM6qfBp0t3NiIOO_ffWxD73t7heeKvnRhw1wCmyNZNsj6vjIE5TvFve-wzV4o22vGF5WxtT9qn_rZCu7JFa86OCfzU7Vy3bs1Lqy7POqnki3to34M5ojfleu7v9lLAJ6_WIF24Scus77eeIXcN5jDNI2d7Emgm5zFa-6_FbjwNzCl3JYaxLco8x-VA=s400"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1gkJF5ZXAQvam8qUKztL7VWGij0CdooUSFrNQORIvtumLW5zaybL4b2S0vzZ-7hSXXR4ceDj8H6gg8E4gT_GwI-1gaCTcqhFiKUncJ_tvxvDIAEAK5GfEAwlHBDigb0z7CtfgAIYQAMj9pqk286GbwbuAWTzcwoM7iKn6fhvDy7-6TJF9mT7IPnuQQw=s1440" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1gkJF5ZXAQvam8qUKztL7VWGij0CdooUSFrNQORIvtumLW5zaybL4b2S0vzZ-7hSXXR4ceDj8H6gg8E4gT_GwI-1gaCTcqhFiKUncJ_tvxvDIAEAK5GfEAwlHBDigb0z7CtfgAIYQAMj9pqk286GbwbuAWTzcwoM7iKn6fhvDy7-6TJF9mT7IPnuQQw=s400"/></a></div>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-42735581315552857172022-01-24T20:40:00.001-06:002022-01-24T20:43:06.329-06:00Valentine's Day Gifts from Eclectic Design Choices<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyXzRc5YyL7YaHyAYkaVeo--WrJ6Uem0tDRABEMmoj_bnrTnA17AGTGXSGqeQz5BuFFXQtLsP596mgGkKC-fDqyYFNJ_LuKiCORxwHb8WD6D2yURtGr-QuNFFsl5GoCQrEJTNb9IUoPFa2ND_1vHo0z7QVjszF5v-26MHHD4BtzmkjoZZKdwa_iO5vDw=s3088" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="3088" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyXzRc5YyL7YaHyAYkaVeo--WrJ6Uem0tDRABEMmoj_bnrTnA17AGTGXSGqeQz5BuFFXQtLsP596mgGkKC-fDqyYFNJ_LuKiCORxwHb8WD6D2yURtGr-QuNFFsl5GoCQrEJTNb9IUoPFa2ND_1vHo0z7QVjszF5v-26MHHD4BtzmkjoZZKdwa_iO5vDw=s600" width="550" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
Click to enlarge the image.
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I have a large selection of heart themed gifts for your Valentine. A sampling is shown in the image above. If you don't see what you want in either my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EDCCollective" target="_blank">EDCCollective Etsy shop</a> or my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic" target="_blank">EclecticSkeptic Etsy shop</a>, <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/p/custom.html" target="_blank">contact me</a> asap to see if I can create what you are looking for. If one of my ready to ship items catches your eye, you should still have a little over a week from the date of this post to purchase and have it shipped to you in time.</div>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-89981101403808232702022-01-09T09:38:00.003-06:002022-01-09T09:43:26.574-06:00New Year, New Exhibit - Birds & Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLLzYeh6HCusV7XFyUwcHA_6VQNCs6IqGJdX21QvwOo6eOwNYESVyX4PCgZ3obKz3G3bRiKTYBk4VqjzODvEUelAZbb2KPyMSTTkfKs5C5e-XoWIKFUIrtE25J1i0oc4SnUaQJNWeuPfPjhhCUDQkic0iLitUK22LKwk6HAkqFhRtekcYwcAQ5t7vkFQ=s1424" style="display: block; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLLzYeh6HCusV7XFyUwcHA_6VQNCs6IqGJdX21QvwOo6eOwNYESVyX4PCgZ3obKz3G3bRiKTYBk4VqjzODvEUelAZbb2KPyMSTTkfKs5C5e-XoWIKFUIrtE25J1i0oc4SnUaQJNWeuPfPjhhCUDQkic0iLitUK22LKwk6HAkqFhRtekcYwcAQ5t7vkFQ=s320"/></a></div>
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Actually the "Birds & Bees" exhibit began a couple of weeks before the new year, however I am just now getting caught up enough to share it with you.
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Three of my photographic art prints were selected to hang in this exhibit. The exhibit is part of an ongoing <a href="https://tourniqueart.godaddysites.com/art-spots" target="_blank">Art Spots project</a> by Tournique Art and the Mansfield Commission for the Arts. Art Spots are pop up galleries hosted by various businesses who love being a part of the arts in the community! This exhibit is in a public portion of <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/2300+Lone+Star+Rd,+Mansfield,+TX+76063/@32.5380195,-97.1021647,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864e6018e4198af3:0x5957876bc9985d47!8m2!3d32.538015!4d-97.099976" target="_blank">the Texas Health Mansfield Hospital</a> near the front entrance. The artwork will be up through Feb. 27, 2020.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbfT4xvOOhieS0m0zqP_qoGVuwpx0tvdm7wWv9V4QvJhqCqczdYzhObs2S4Q_IOAfaAUeOx8e6NE8hSN6De0cgVX3ATqaOJFUGZW4is4sJ5WYVWtm4n3SA-limdquhi06sy5U_XJ5-QqbaiFr1JXcVHMNodQLGyey5bdTlW1Qms5bfUSrAWW5hktIHrg=s1280" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0em 1em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="225" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbfT4xvOOhieS0m0zqP_qoGVuwpx0tvdm7wWv9V4QvJhqCqczdYzhObs2S4Q_IOAfaAUeOx8e6NE8hSN6De0cgVX3ATqaOJFUGZW4is4sJ5WYVWtm4n3SA-limdquhi06sy5U_XJ5-QqbaiFr1JXcVHMNodQLGyey5bdTlW1Qms5bfUSrAWW5hktIHrg=s320"/></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHowmpcslZgyZJoSE4q08zywp6dlqJ2ddzme86kFxBPpOAv3kgemrM7F9Z1GbFhJdrvIj_TBmrDCtNmqUlrSHcM_ZKCmNH_CAt-87_PSrin6GAvlDGmjLAz6twTYTov2fIatbE0cx0SzEUFY4TeynRyk6jl0ASXxIF_xxreCfEHbkFVEKe5Jq9T1EGaw=s1271" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0em 1em 0em; text-align: center; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="225" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHowmpcslZgyZJoSE4q08zywp6dlqJ2ddzme86kFxBPpOAv3kgemrM7F9Z1GbFhJdrvIj_TBmrDCtNmqUlrSHcM_ZKCmNH_CAt-87_PSrin6GAvlDGmjLAz6twTYTov2fIatbE0cx0SzEUFY4TeynRyk6jl0ASXxIF_xxreCfEHbkFVEKe5Jq9T1EGaw=s320"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Click on the images to see a larger view. These framed pieces are for sale and available to be delivered after the exhibit is over.</div>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-42442544848275830342021-11-25T19:17:00.075-06:002021-11-25T19:17:00.218-06:00Eclectic Design Choices Will Once Again be Part of the Happy Holidays Pop-Up Shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://817artsalliance.blogspot.com/p/happy-holidays-gift-market.html" target="_blank" style="display: block; padding: .4em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8eO8794c5A/YZxFK8NltsI/AAAAAAAAEFo/l2MMsO4-FJME7bJdhbkCCbX3hHr7NZi_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/sq%2Breindeer%2Bad2%2B250x250.jpg"/></a></div>Last year the Happy Holidays Pop-Up went virtual. This year it will be back in person, however it is moving from its Downtown Arlington centered location(s) to Pantego. This year you will find my handmade creations, along with those of about a dozen other artisans, at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/2230+W+Park+Row+Dr,+Pantego,+TX+76013/@32.7209389,-97.146717,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x864e7ce6ffe05d87:0xa23bf226823b663!8m2!3d32.7209344!4d-97.1445283" target="_blank">Simply Divune Cafe</a>.
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The shop's hours and the cafe's hours are similar but not exactly the same. Simply Divune Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. The shop will not open at the crack of dawn like the cafe and many days it will be open for your shopping convenience through late afternoon. There will also be Sunday shopping hours when the cafe is closed.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://artisanspaces.blogspot.com/p/eclectic-design-choices.html" target="_blank" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJvvswFaKNE/YZxLNxESQwI/AAAAAAAAEFw/Pjr4PZOzi9AW6L_uPZc5ReAEJcXuTVhWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/4up%2BEDC.jpg"/></a></div>On Small Business Saturday, November 27, from 9am-3pm, get a preview of some of the hand crafted goodies that will fill the Happy Holidays Pop-Up Shop this year. Even though this is a preview day, the unique creations on display will be for sale too. Pop in and purchase anything that catches your eye since many of our items are one or few-of-a-kind finds.
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Happy Holidays Pop-Up Shop will be fully stocked and open beginning at 10am on Tues, Nov. 30, 2021 and remain open through Thurs, Dec. 23. Shop hours will be: Mon. 10am-2pm, Tues - Thurs: 10am - 5 pm, Fri - Sat: 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday: 1pm-5pm
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You will find more information about this unique shopping opportunity, including some idea of the range of creations that each artisan will be bringing to market on <a href="http://817artsalliance.blogspot.com/p/happy-holidays-gift-market.html" target="_blank">the event website</a>.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-27098484383066313602021-11-05T19:57:00.003-05:002021-11-05T19:57:38.334-05:00Donating Artwork and Celebrating the Grand Opening of the New Dalworthington Gardens' City Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auwyEPDLf3M/YYXNnnmRRLI/AAAAAAAAEFY/5hfmWALk8vg5ivy4GqdF50U_wH1e9Rs_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1786/front%2Band%2BS%2Bside%2Band%2Bflags%2Bsm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1786" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auwyEPDLf3M/YYXNnnmRRLI/AAAAAAAAEFY/5hfmWALk8vg5ivy4GqdF50U_wH1e9Rs_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/front%2Band%2BS%2Bside%2Band%2Bflags%2Bsm.jpg"/></a></div>As a member of the building committee that helped the new city hall in DWG take shape, I am happy to announce that the grand opening of the building is almost here. On Thursday, November 18 beginning at 5pm, <a href="https://www.cityofdwg.net/" target="_blank">the City of Dalworthington Gardens</a> will hold a grand opening celebration.
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There are some very special elements in the new building. Another alderman built and donated the big table for the conference room. It is awesome and even includes the DWG symbol burned into the wood by a custom built branding iron. The table is very elegant with a dash of rustic charm that gives a nod to the City's tag line, "a rural oasis in the heart of the metroplex".
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I offered to donate some artwork that would tap into that theme as well. I brought up several examples of my photographic art images I had printed for me as gallery wrapped canvases for the mayor to look at a month or so ago. After looking around the building we thought the conference room was the perfect place to hang some pieces. With the way the windows were laid out in there and the plans already anticipated for the other walls, it looked like two horizontally oriented and two vertically oriented 16" x 20" works of art would be most appropriate. I wanted the images to be of nature that had been photographed in DWG. I had two landscape oriented dragonflies that I had photographed in my backyard and a portrait oriented study of a great egret that I took in Gardens Park. I needed another vertically oriented image.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFns5jark2A/YYXRYy7tCCI/AAAAAAAAEFg/dzEI-ArtbgM2mwjX09Jy_fLt04MB9lDMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1993/4%2Bwrap%2Bat%2BDWG.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .2em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1993" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFns5jark2A/YYXRYy7tCCI/AAAAAAAAEFg/dzEI-ArtbgM2mwjX09Jy_fLt04MB9lDMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/4%2Bwrap%2Bat%2BDWG.jpg"/></a></div>Great egrets are large birds that frequent Pappy Elkins lake in Gardens Park. A comparably sized bird that also hangs out around the lake is the great blue heron. I did not have an image worked up yet for a 16" x 20" piece of art based on a great blue heron photo I had taken, but thought that was what the fourth image needed to be. I hunted through the photos I had taken over the years in the park to see if I had a suitible one. I wanted to find one where the heron was standing in a similar posture as the egret on the canvas that was already printed and I wanted them to be facing each other once they were hung on the wall. I also wanted the final alteration of my heron photo to take on a similar characteristic as the other three pieces of art I was donating. I found a few original photos of mine that I thought had potential. After working with this group, I settled on one that I thought best fit the criteria I had set out. After completing the image it was time to send it off to be printed on canvas. I always cross my fingers when I do this with a new image. Some images look better printed on different substrates so even though I print out proofs on paper on my printers, I am never 100% sure of how the print on canvas will look. I think it turned out nicely and compliments the egret very well.
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One other donation I made to the overall project was to save some of the plants that continued to grow on the original homestead site, even though the old house had been removed years ago, and ultimately return them to the site. I cared for them for over a year until we could tell if there was an appropriate place to set them around the new building. We decided the bed on the north side of the building would make a good location for these hardy, easy care plants. When the plants in the bed mature a bit more, I will take some pictures and make a post about that garden.
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(Click on the images to enlarge them.)Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-58546562340288398242021-10-28T19:29:00.001-05:002021-10-28T19:29:36.256-05:00Design This - Earrings for Sensitive Ears<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UOZPJQ5Zsc/YXs9slHWwQI/AAAAAAAAEFI/BWnRPCbKHjE7DVDHmHNoQkUsW-F3S9KXACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sauropod%2BSW%2Bcolors%2BN%252C%2BE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UOZPJQ5Zsc/YXs9slHWwQI/AAAAAAAAEFI/BWnRPCbKHjE7DVDHmHNoQkUsW-F3S9KXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sauropod%2BSW%2Bcolors%2BN%252C%2BE.jpg"/></a>Some percentage of people who wear pierced earrings have sensitive ears that cause them problems if they wear earrings with base metal ear wires or other ear attachments. That has to be frustrating for them when they find the perfect pair of earrings, but can't buy them because they have the wrong type of ear wire to keep their ears happy.
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I was very pleased when a recent visitor to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic" target="_blank">EclecticSkeptic Etsy shop</a> wrote to me asking if a certain pair of my earrings were okay for someone who prefers hypoallergenic jewelry. I told her that I did have a solution for someone in her situation and sent her <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/2009/07/earring-solution-for-metal-allergies.html" target="_blank">a link to a previous blog post of mine describing the benefits of niobium ear wires</a>. Later I took a photo of the niobium ear wires I had on hand that would complement the earrings she was interested in. After reviewing the photo, she picked out a pair and I made a private listing for her to purchase.
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abqN3ovTrZw/YXs-ljgru0I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/p3ybUYJAEe8ANwH1POLufh5_wlRs8u36wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1754/niobium%2Bchoices%2Bsauropod%2BE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="1754" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abqN3ovTrZw/YXs-ljgru0I/AAAAAAAAEFQ/p3ybUYJAEe8ANwH1POLufh5_wlRs8u36wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/niobium%2Bchoices%2Bsauropod%2BE.jpg"/></a></div>I do also keep a small supply of sterling silver findings on hand, but in this case they would not have been a good color match for the earrings my customer was interested in. I am always <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/p/custom.html" target="_blank">happy to receive inquiries</a> about making changes to an existing piece of jewelry or making a new item that meets a person's needs. In addition to options for people with sensitive ears, I also have options for what is probably a small percentage of people these days who do not have pierced ears but still want to wear earrings, like me.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-8235702445191630262021-09-29T10:44:00.001-05:002021-09-29T10:44:12.360-05:00Wine Glass Charms Are Not Just for Stemware<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvJaheW1dgg/YVSEVJ2fQ6I/AAAAAAAAED0/75Wy9HjveKQ4EEStc0aULx9ACQy-gwF8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1558/hmngbrd%2Bwine%2Bchrms5.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1.5em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvJaheW1dgg/YVSEVJ2fQ6I/AAAAAAAAED0/75Wy9HjveKQ4EEStc0aULx9ACQy-gwF8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/hmngbrd%2Bwine%2Bchrms5.jpg"/></a>I have been making <a href="https://www.etsy.com/edccollective/listing/174017772/wine-glass-charms-hostess-gift-nature" target="_blank">nature themed wine glass charms</a> now for a few years. They are very useful to help your guests tell their drinking glasses apart when they have been set down.
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It occurred to me last night that they might also be useful if you are serving your guests drinks in coffee or tea mugs that have handles. I grabbed a mug from my cabinet this morning and placed a couple of wine glass charms on the handle to see how they would work hanging from different locations. I liked the end results. The design of your mug handles will affect the usefulness on this type of <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Co9eoWtxq5s/YVSFc9CswPI/AAAAAAAAED8/w2AsjjG84mUmoiPJ-t_3pAXEl2TzZLqNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1884/on%2Bcoffee%2Bor%2Btea%2Bmug2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0em 0em 1.5em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="1884" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Co9eoWtxq5s/YVSFc9CswPI/AAAAAAAAED8/w2AsjjG84mUmoiPJ-t_3pAXEl2TzZLqNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/on%2Bcoffee%2Bor%2Btea%2Bmug2.jpg"/></a>drinkware to some extent. Mug handles that arch up slightly at their top attachment point will be the most useful for utilizing my wine glass charms.</div>
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So when you are comfortable hosting some number of guests in your home again, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/edccollective/listing/174017772/wine-glass-charms-hostess-gift-nature" target="_blank">make sure you have some wine glass charms on hand</a>. Now you know you have an alternative to serving your liquid refreshments in stemware to be able to utilize the benefits of wine glass charms. Help your guests easily identify which piece of drinkware sitting on the table is theirs for them to safely drink from.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-69748952246759145952021-07-03T09:58:00.003-05:002021-07-03T10:00:18.657-05:00Happier 4th of July 2021We have come a long way from cancelling or at the very least making significant changes to our 4th of July celebrations of 2020. However, it is very easy for those of us who are fully vaccinated to forget that Covid-19 has not been fully defeated. And it is very easy for the vaccine hesitant to take their cues from the fully vaccinated who are now so much safer ditching their masks and not social distancing. Unfortunately we are not out of the woods yet, but if everyone continues to take appropriate precautions and preventative measures like getting vaccinated, handwashing, wearing masks appropriately and being aware of when social distancing is still a good idea, we will gain our independence from this virus.
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So on this Independence Day of 2021 as we celebrate the birth of our nation, let's do so in such a way that we can continue to celebrate and protect our independance from the strictest restrictions we experienced from this past year or so of the pandemic. And while you are at it, don't forget the sunscreen.
Happy 4th of July!Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-17511289285760821812021-04-27T21:39:00.001-05:002021-04-28T08:18:48.164-05:00Edgy Filigree Jewelry<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfjRQvwaMHg/YIjFB157RcI/AAAAAAAAEAU/FGgVd8R40bcBRqsqAbtSERmWaQeR7ckhACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/geometric%2Bunicorn.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="310" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1613" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfjRQvwaMHg/YIjFB157RcI/AAAAAAAAEAU/FGgVd8R40bcBRqsqAbtSERmWaQeR7ckhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/geometric%2Bunicorn.jpg"/></a></div>What do you get when you cross geometric polygonal shapes with scrollwork? You get edgy filigree (filigree with hard edges, literally).
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As often happens, I bought some supplies a while back that I really liked but life was busy and they got tucked away for future use. I was looking for something else when I came across them recently and decided I really needed to make some jewelry from the geometric cutout brass shapes and get them listed in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic" target="_blank">EclecticSkeptic Etsy shop</a>.
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The novel pose, coupled with the polygonal cutouts of the brass unicorns seemed an unconventional take that screamed strength and attitude but still needed some rainbows. I thought they would be perfect as <a href="https://www.etsy.com/EclecticSkeptic/listing/994399123/brass-geometric-unicorn-long-dangle" target="_blank">long, dangle earrings</a>. Each unicorn is topped with two faceted, rainbow colored beads.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfFaxmtNmKE/YIjJw5ki8iI/AAAAAAAAEAc/isSgAjgmdOEW287-Rb0DYyvTAhH-J0KEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/T-Rex%2Bgeom%2Bbrass%2BN2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="310" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1832" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfFaxmtNmKE/YIjJw5ki8iI/AAAAAAAAEAc/isSgAjgmdOEW287-Rb0DYyvTAhH-J0KEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/T-Rex%2Bgeom%2Bbrass%2BN2.jpg"/></a></div>The geometric T-Rex seemed perfect for a simple, short necklace that would sit about at the collarbone. I paired the dinosaur charm with a golden cable chain and spring ring clasp to create the necklace.
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Additional mythologically themed jewelry, accessories and art can be found in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=7444510" target="_blank">Math and Myth Geekery shop section</a>. More dinosaur jewelry can be found in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=16805574" target="_blank">Science Geekery shop section</a>.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-43224748898942869912021-04-23T20:23:00.000-05:002021-04-23T20:23:21.518-05:00New Cardinal Art from Eclectic Design Choices<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMkWOhrB6Mw/YINvRrkUMzI/AAAAAAAAEAE/5TJxXhb0KiMHVWqIra32OvpNz3E-EnGIACLcBGAsYHQ/s980/male%2Bcardinal%2Big.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .5em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="300" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="980" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMkWOhrB6Mw/YINvRrkUMzI/AAAAAAAAEAE/5TJxXhb0KiMHVWqIra32OvpNz3E-EnGIACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/male%2Bcardinal%2Big.jpg"/></a></div>Images of northern cardinals have been a popular subject with my customers. I have created two new photographic art images recently to celebrate this iconic bird. Both of these images are of male cardinals, which a lot of people refer to as red birds (for obvious reasons).
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I developed one of the images for my most recent substrate for my artwork, vinyl stickers. Like <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/search?q=sticker+-spotlight" target="_blank">my other stickers</a>, these cardinal stickers are made from durable, weather, scratch and fade resistant vinyl with a laminate coating. A male cardinal stands on a rock slanting towards the flowing water in my backyard stream. He is looking around warily before dipping his beak into the water for a drink.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUCIyuR1T18/YINvlRntjuI/AAAAAAAAEAM/mtRI0vmqGU0a5HnsDSfP_fIqMqtVNjg7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s432/Rosy%2BReflection%2Blow%2Bres.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUCIyuR1T18/YINvlRntjuI/AAAAAAAAEAM/mtRI0vmqGU0a5HnsDSfP_fIqMqtVNjg7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Rosy%2BReflection%2Blow%2Bres.jpg"/></a></div><br/>The second image was developed for one of my traditional offerings, a matted print. (The unmatted, signed 4x6 image is shown here.) I seem to have unintentionally chosen a theme for the photos I have developed this year. This picture is also of a male cardinal coming to my backyard for a drink. He stands on a branch just above the surface of the water in my pond. The water is still and allowed me to capture a great reflection of the cardinal and its surroundings.
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I expect to have each of these items with me the next time I am able to do an in person show. Until then, you can reach out to me to inquire about purchasing these or other images in my portfolio.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-17810594090274268372021-04-17T20:25:00.009-05:002021-04-17T20:38:05.877-05:00Dig Native Plant Month (April) by Planting Some Native Plants in Your Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTE05gfP7zU/YHuC6urJE4I/AAAAAAAAD_I/0JNXJg4umE4DAOOmCwEq8JEXjKnDhtqGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1535/prairie%2Bphlox.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .2em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1535" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTE05gfP7zU/YHuC6urJE4I/AAAAAAAAD_I/0JNXJg4umE4DAOOmCwEq8JEXjKnDhtqGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/prairie%2Bphlox.jpg"/></a>Native plants make great choices for your garden. They are usually more insect and disease resistant and better adapted to your climate than non-native species. They also are more likely to benefit local wildlife populations. Hurray for the U.S. Senate passing <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/national-audubon-society-celebrates-resolution-declaring-april-native-plant-0" target="_blank">a resolution declaring Apr, 2021 - National Native Plant Month</a>.
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Fragrant prairie phlox is a perennial that I have growing on one side of the berm in my backyard when we had a waterfall installed. It is a true Texan, transplanted from a pasture an hour or so away. It has established itself and does not require any additional water. Its leaves appear <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXVq5rXrKKs/YHuFAn9vrII/AAAAAAAAD_Q/1IAlxWj7J9wiDTqcsuwUJ0wsY7XCygWRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/various%2Bcolors%2Bblg.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .2em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXVq5rXrKKs/YHuFAn9vrII/AAAAAAAAD_Q/1IAlxWj7J9wiDTqcsuwUJ0wsY7XCygWRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/various%2Bcolors%2Bblg.jpg"/></a>when rains return in the fall and blooms profusely for several weeks this time of year and goes dormant over the summer. It spreads by underground stolens.
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Giant spiderworts are another plant I brought to my waterfall berm garden from the wild. They flower in a wonderful assortment of colors, hot pink and various blues and purples. They reseed easily but <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zks0ij2Rim0/YHuGio11v6I/AAAAAAAAD_Y/qh59rjD4tU4yb-0Rv0y5JkfMXmeFC0bXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1512/primrose%2Bblg.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0em .6em 0em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zks0ij2Rim0/YHuGio11v6I/AAAAAAAAD_Y/qh59rjD4tU4yb-0Rv0y5JkfMXmeFC0bXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/primrose%2Bblg.jpg"/></a>if you do not want more plants, just cut off the seed heads when they're done blooming. They also go dormant during the summer and do not need watering once established.
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7HUEB1X8SI/YHuHeG1nGwI/AAAAAAAAD_g/eyTPe95oOJAZgPEff6KDCMHZoVhxENl2ACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/bl%2Beyed%2Bgrass.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em .5em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7HUEB1X8SI/YHuHeG1nGwI/AAAAAAAAD_g/eyTPe95oOJAZgPEff6KDCMHZoVhxENl2ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/bl%2Beyed%2Bgrass.jpg"/></a>The last two native plants I am featuring are wild on my property. I mow around pink evening primrose. I learned the hard way that if you do not, it gets unhappy and dies out. The blue-eyed grass is a bit more resistant to being mowed. It is a tiny member of the iris family. I do mow around them this time of year to make sure I get to see their flowers which open up when it gets bright enough during the day. (Note: This blue-eyed grass plant was in my garden, but they do not usually last long as they don't seem to like mulched gardens.)</div>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-58831912748475277342021-03-29T22:08:00.003-05:002021-03-29T22:09:18.862-05:00Spring has Sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUI339od0fM/YGKU2Kv1wDI/AAAAAAAAD-s/80qUZabg7y0oyvSwtGrFjyGVGgwZgORUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1740/cedar%2Bsq2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 0em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" width="550" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="1740" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUI339od0fM/YGKU2Kv1wDI/AAAAAAAAD-s/80qUZabg7y0oyvSwtGrFjyGVGgwZgORUACLcBGAsYHQ/s600/cedar%2Bsq2.jpg"/></a></div>
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What a difference a month and a half makes. We have gone from frigid temperatures and snow from storm Uri to spring green showing up in the form of new leaves on most of the trees and green grass and clear blue skies.
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I had a flock of cedar waxwings visit my bald cypress today. I'm not sure if they were eating buds or bugs but they stayed there for quite a while and I got some nice pictures of them. It would have been nice to have the sun at a different angle but you take what you can get. At least the birds were so engrossed in what they were doing that they ignored me. Cedar waxwings are usually flighty and difficult to capture "on film". They were also much less vocal than I am used to. I love the sounds cedar waxwings make but they were pretty quiet today.
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What birds have you seen recently?
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUqyzZeYMEo/YGKWDdQesrI/AAAAAAAAD-0/jWDZGRucUHAkhE9NgeZM-wrNSXmPAm7pACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cedar%2Beating.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="800" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1433" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUqyzZeYMEo/YGKWDdQesrI/AAAAAAAAD-0/jWDZGRucUHAkhE9NgeZM-wrNSXmPAm7pACLcBGAsYHQ/s600/cedar%2Beating.jpg"/></a></div>Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-63519806599503599662021-02-14T15:46:00.001-06:002021-02-14T15:46:20.648-06:00Snowy Valentine's Day Great Backyard Bird Count Pictures<br/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHStfzQNyJ4/YCmUz3uKbMI/AAAAAAAAD88/XTIr1GaPbjsiLLRM77TfTGT8OWhoFTSZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/2-14-21%2Bsnow%2Bbirds.jpg" style="padding: 1em 1em 1em .4em; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="46%" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHStfzQNyJ4/YCmUz3uKbMI/AAAAAAAAD88/XTIr1GaPbjsiLLRM77TfTGT8OWhoFTSZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2-14-21%2Bsnow%2Bbirds.jpg"/></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-US2UggJh-jY/YCmU4GGci9I/AAAAAAAAD9A/glE0B2fJdzw89lMOxO7xSQ-wkcPqDMGugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/frozen%2Bwaters%2Bedge.jpg" style="padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="46%" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-US2UggJh-jY/YCmU4GGci9I/AAAAAAAAD9A/glE0B2fJdzw89lMOxO7xSQ-wkcPqDMGugCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/frozen%2Bwaters%2Bedge.jpg"/></a></div>
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Because of the pandemic, my city was already planning on one part of its Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) event being virtual, but due to the weather, all of it was moved online. I hosted two livestream sessions. One on Friday, February 12 where I gave background on and how to participate in the GBBC. We added a livestream on Saturday instead of heading out in the weather for socially distanced guided bird walks. In this livestream, I chatted with a member of the Fort Worth Audubon Society about her birding experiences and we discussed several local birds featured in photos provided by another resident. You can find both of these videos on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CStein.Nature.Science" target="_blank">my personal Facebook page</a>.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMn0JVd8sXE/YCmVOMmP9SI/AAAAAAAAD9M/Ei8aPdf5sVgBJdWD686ljk24Bb9NsIa4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/robin%2Bsnowy%2Bstream.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMn0JVd8sXE/YCmVOMmP9SI/AAAAAAAAD9M/Ei8aPdf5sVgBJdWD686ljk24Bb9NsIa4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/robin%2Bsnowy%2Bstream.jpg"/></a></div>
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These images are from today. Click on them to enlarge them. Even though I have only been counting from inside my house and the bad weather, I think I have counted more species than I have ever counted during a four day GBBC and we still have Monday to go. I have seen at least one of each of the following birds: American Crow, American goldfinch, American Robin, Blue Jay, Carolina chickadee, Cedar waxwing, Dark-eyed junco, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Gull sp., House finch, House sparrow, Lincoln's sparrow, Mourning dove, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Northern mockingbird, Pine siskin, Red-bellied woodpecker, Red-tailed hawk, Ruby-crowned kinglet, Tufted Titmouse, Turkey vulture, White-winged dove, Yellow-bellied sapsucker and Yellow-rumped warbler. There are other birds that can be around my property this time of year, but I think this is pretty good. In fact the bird in my last post showed back up for me to count. If I do not get a correct guess in the comments as to what it is, I will add another photo and identify it after the GBBC is over.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46_XuPV6QC4/YCmYX5aw09I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/8Q4HdMRSMGM2czpw-zS6luFvU0bkFUTogCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/snowy%2Bperch.jpg" style="padding: 0em 1em 1em .4em; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="46%" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46_XuPV6QC4/YCmYX5aw09I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/8Q4HdMRSMGM2czpw-zS6luFvU0bkFUTogCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/snowy%2Bperch.jpg"/></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKYMWFQCVc/YCmYe9069hI/AAAAAAAAD9c/RK1iLag24_EzzdQOzzBeG8LpUXayOWPuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/f%2Bcard%2Bbehind%2Bsnowy%2Bstrmbnk.jpg" style="padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="46%" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pKYMWFQCVc/YCmYe9069hI/AAAAAAAAD9c/RK1iLag24_EzzdQOzzBeG8LpUXayOWPuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/f%2Bcard%2Bbehind%2Bsnowy%2Bstrmbnk.jpg"/></a></div>
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If you have not gotten a chance to count birds for the GBBC this year. If you are cooped up because of our strong winter storm in Texas, take some time to count the birds. <a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank">Merlin is a great, free app</a> for android or iOS that helps greatly with bird identification. The count runs through Monday, February 15, 2021.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-91403529955597414652021-02-06T19:56:00.002-06:002021-02-20T13:38:24.831-06:002021 Great Backyard Bird Count Starts SoonThis year's <a href="https://www.birdcount.org/" target="_blank">Great Backyard Bird Count</a> (GBBC) starts in less than a week. Join this fun, citizen scientist project for a minimum of 15 minutes at a time, whenever you have the time on February 12-15. The goal is to count the birds that you see and record your data for scientists to use in their studies.
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To get ready, find your binoculars and grab a birding guide to help you identify any birds you are not familiar with. There are several good birding field guide books and apps you can install on your phone or tablet. A camera can also be helpful for identification.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eygP8ILLuic/YB9HZBW7FKI/AAAAAAAAD8w/vD1W5jx4ldQOoK6KLhm2BE44E6XyWLYJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/who%2Bam%2BI.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eygP8ILLuic/YB9HZBW7FKI/AAAAAAAAD8w/vD1W5jx4ldQOoK6KLhm2BE44E6XyWLYJACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/who%2Bam%2BI.jpg"/></a></div>I will be doing a livestream on Friday, February 12 at 10am to provide how to information and hopefully answer any questions viewers may have. I will post a link a few days before the livestream in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/3709873982439937/?active_tab=discussion" target="_blank">discussion tab on my City's GBBC event page</a>.
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While I have not seen them for a couple of weeks, I had some new visitors to my yard for a month or more recently. The photo in this post is of one of the pair. Can you identify this bird as it plays peekaboo in my bald cypress tree? (Click on the images to see a larger view.) If you can or have a guess, please write it in the comments. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6caMz1UAmNI/YDFjJpakVdI/AAAAAAAAD9s/n6fy-ODqvWcihRIIMGlD5Hd9o51XjZKgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/here%2BI%2Bam.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1.5em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6caMz1UAmNI/YDFjJpakVdI/AAAAAAAAD9s/n6fy-ODqvWcihRIIMGlD5Hd9o51XjZKgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/here%2BI%2Bam.jpg"/></a></div>After I see a correct ID, I will add a photo that shows more of the bird.
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I hope you get a chance to join my GBBC livestream and/or participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this year. Making time to observe nature, whether from in your home or outdoors, is good for your mood. So do something positive for yourself and the birds and join in the fun.
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Update: While I had not seen the yellow-shafted northern flickers for a couple of weeks when I wrote this blog post, they did show up to be counted during the GBBC. I have added the second photo to this post so you get a better view of this bird as it pops out of hiding to say, "Here I am".Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-82949758892709654082021-01-26T19:32:00.000-06:002021-01-26T19:32:05.148-06:00C Stein Solo Show - "4 Seasons" in Mansfield<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rnXU4FGqhE/YBCvh7_a-_I/AAAAAAAAD8c/fctuj96zj-UxZhPaHxz--nEC7KwjtPNzACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/4%2Bseasons.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" width="550" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rnXU4FGqhE/YBCvh7_a-_I/AAAAAAAAD8c/fctuj96zj-UxZhPaHxz--nEC7KwjtPNzACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/4%2Bseasons.jpg" /></a></div>
The four images in the collage above evoke feelings of each of the four seasons much like the eight photographic art pieces of mine do at <a href="https://flyingsquirrelcoffeeco.com/" target="_blank">The Flying Squirrel Coffee Co.</a> in downtown Mansfield. Like the photos in the collage, the images in my first solo show include different types of digital manipulation. Some of my original photographs lend themselves to a lot of manipulation, others not so much.
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"4 Seasons" will be up through the end of February, so if conditions are right for you to venture out for a cup of coffee, check it out. (Flying Squirrel also has pickup or delivery that you can order online.)Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-77997139942353214742021-01-20T20:35:00.002-06:002021-01-20T20:39:59.717-06:00Design This - Bulk Keychain Order<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRKfgpuE7Vs/YAjmByGSCkI/AAAAAAAAD78/uSwdtJy40tEjIRDVOLiX2zxH8A_bSScZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1998/35%2B8th%2Bnote%2Bkeychains.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="1859" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRKfgpuE7Vs/YAjmByGSCkI/AAAAAAAAD78/uSwdtJy40tEjIRDVOLiX2zxH8A_bSScZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/35%2B8th%2Bnote%2Bkeychains.jpg"/></a></div>I have an easy open, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/253304799/music-note-keychain-choose-your-color" target="_blank">music note keychain listing in my EclecticSkeptic Etsy shop</a> from which you can order one of four available keychains or up to all four. I received an inquiry late last year from someone wondering if I had a supply of keychains such that they could order them in bulk. I generally only make the number of items I have shown in a listing but often do have additional supplies on hand to be able to make more. In this case, my prospective customer wanted a lot, 35 to be exact!
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I knew I had enough gemstone beads in the appropriate size, however I had to check my stock of charms, keychains and headpins to see if I had enough of those too. It turned<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlk0UIoJHTk/YAjmZSyHU1I/AAAAAAAAD8E/1Pq-3IAJR9shmAqKvb6WKJCJy5XStArZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/35%2B8th%2Bnote%2Bkeychains2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .8em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlk0UIoJHTk/YAjmZSyHU1I/AAAAAAAAD8E/1Pq-3IAJR9shmAqKvb6WKJCJy5XStArZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/35%2B8th%2Bnote%2Bkeychains2.jpg"/></a></div> out that as long as a mix of gold tone and silver tone keychains would satisfy, I would be able to fill the request. I relayed this information and was pleased to find out that would be ok. We discussed the time I would need to be able to create 35 new keychains, a ship by date and what discount I could offer on a bulk request like this.
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After getting the details nailed down, I set up a custom listing and got to start on the order after I heard the cha-ching from my Etsy seller's app. I selected all of the materials I would need and began to assemble the keychains. I took two work in progress pictures that I have included here as well as a photo of the finished product before I packaged them up to send off.
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You will never know if an artisan can create exactly what you are looking for if you don't ask. So, send me a note if you are interested in a specific creation or multiples of something you see in one of my shops.
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Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-30018293261578930452021-01-01T00:30:00.123-06:002021-01-01T00:30:02.081-06:00Here's Hoping 2021 Lets Us Turn the Corner to a Brighter Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtGDxBhjWns/X-0ntAlArfI/AAAAAAAAD7A/ckmMG90bid4sL3IlSvmdvPNPowmWjvyuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/breaking%2Bout%2Bsm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtGDxBhjWns/X-0ntAlArfI/AAAAAAAAD7A/ckmMG90bid4sL3IlSvmdvPNPowmWjvyuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/breaking%2Bout%2Bsm.jpg"/></a></div>May the dark clouds of 2020 give way to rays of sunshine for 2021.
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Hope is on the horizon in the form of a vaccinations for Covid-19. We need to maintain our composure so that hope is not dashed however. I have noticed changes in the reporting on administering the vaccine that have given me pause. Just before any approvals, there was a set of guidelines created for who should recieve the vaccine first, second, etc. There were also concerns over whether enough people would step up and take the vaccine to make a difference in the pandemic. Then we had several days of reporting that certain hospital workers were getting vaccinated, then frontline police and firefighters and some nursing home residents. From what I can tell, not all medical professionals, first responders or nursing home residents have had the opportunity to be vaccinated in my area but that process is being worked through. Front line workers in the first group to receive vaccines are supposed to also include teachers and grocery store workers as well but I had not heard anything about how those people are being identified and offered sign ups yet. Then all of a sudden just a day or so ago, the reporting seemed to indicate that a stampede of people not in the early groups may be forming to try to get to the front of the line. I hope that is not the case.
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Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see a ground swell of interest in being vaccinated. That is great. Remember however that those who were given the first Pfizer shots are due for their second shot in less than a week in order to be on their way to maximum immunity. They need to be assured of supply. While I am looking forward to being able to be vaccinated, based on supply and the ranking group I belong to, I fully expect it to be more than a couple of months before my turn in line shows up. We all need to take measure of what groups we fall into and be patient if we have to be so that the process does not turn into a melee. Success will also hinge on our ability to continue to wear masks, wash our hands frequently and practice social distancing while the population is being vaccinated.
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While careful navigation is likely still needed in the weeks and months to come, my hope is that some sort of normalcy returns through our efforts so that we can look back at this time next year and say 2021 was a happy year.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-91523672251065111202020-12-22T19:30:00.001-06:002020-12-22T19:30:04.036-06:00A New Twist on Putting out Seed for the Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgDDBsU0uxU/X96277JKHNI/AAAAAAAAD6k/r8eay5v1m_suEOdBNnuRwM0Yfghp0S5swCLcBGAsYHQ/s1704/1%2Bgoldfinch%2Bon%2Bseed%2Btp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1704" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgDDBsU0uxU/X96277JKHNI/AAAAAAAAD6k/r8eay5v1m_suEOdBNnuRwM0Yfghp0S5swCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1%2Bgoldfinch%2Bon%2Bseed%2Btp.jpg"/></a></div>Some flowers ripen into seedheads that add interest to the garden. However some of these same flowers will bloom again if you remove or deadhead them. Additionally, the seedheads can provide food for wildlife you want to attract to your yard. One such flower in my gardens is coneflower. I have tried a variety of treatments to try to achieve all three benefits. This year I tried a new approach that has been very successful.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xmg5xQpF14/X963VVRSEGI/AAAAAAAAD6s/jcCPd1-20hMhVuPKwMuUP-NXubL9iKNeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1376/7%2Bgoldfinch%2Bon%2Bseed%2Btp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xmg5xQpF14/X963VVRSEGI/AAAAAAAAD6s/jcCPd1-20hMhVuPKwMuUP-NXubL9iKNeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/7%2Bgoldfinch%2Bon%2Bseed%2Btp.jpg"/></a></div>When my conflowers developed dried seedheads, I clipped them back to where they looked like they might bud out again. This left me with a huge pile of seedhead stalks. I poked a few of the shorter ones into the ground under my birdfeeder. I gathered handfuls of the taller ones and pushed them into the ground around and partially supported by a teepee style metal trellis in my back garden that is not too far from my birdfeeder. I liked the way the seedheads looked all bunched around the base and my trimmed coneflowers in the front garden did have a small rebloom after the pruning. Now, would I actually see any birds visit my seed art?
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It took a while for the right birds to show up. In December, American goldfinch began filtering back into the area. They have really been enjoying the coneflower spread I set out. The first picture in this post is one of the first birds I saw eating from the seedheads. There are a bunch of goldfinches in the second photo. How many do you see? Tell me in the comments. You can click on the image to see a larger view.
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What have you done or can you do that is outside the box to support wildlife in your yard? I definitely plan to recreate my coneflower feeding station next year.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-36980334935039021442020-12-15T19:05:00.035-06:002020-12-15T19:05:00.150-06:00Backyard Water Features are For The BirdsIf you have the right features in your yard, not only will the year round avian residents thank you but so will migrating flocks, large and small. Water features are one of the best things to add to your backyard to attract birds so you can get a chance to watch their natural behaviours.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq8B3Qjlau0/X9Vu9oza8-I/AAAAAAAAD6Q/w0VApasMaScrfLb30MmwMsEnj8yVkRyOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/ylw-rmpd%2Bwrblr%2Bn%2Bgldfnch%2Bsm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq8B3Qjlau0/X9Vu9oza8-I/AAAAAAAAD6Q/w0VApasMaScrfLb30MmwMsEnj8yVkRyOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ylw-rmpd%2Bwrblr%2Bn%2Bgldfnch%2Bsm.jpg"/></a></div>I have a fairly large backyard water feature. It is composed of a waterfall that flows into a short stream section that flows into a pond. The stream section is shallow so that birds can get a drink or bathe. Last week we had small flocks of several species of birds visit all at once along with some of the regulars. In addition to the stream, they also used a portion of the top shelf of the pond for bathing. It is interesting to watch how different birds approach a water source. Some are more wary than others and will look around for quite a while before dipping their head to get a drink. Then they take a quick sip and fly off. Some repeatedly guzzle until you wonder if they will be too heavy to take off. Others, especially larger songbirds like mockingbirds and blue jays, seem to prefer to drink from the edge of the waterfall. When bathing, some will dunk themselves repeatedly or even just hang out in the flowing water, while others take a quick splash and retreat to the cypress to wait to dash in again or preen.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsElbGBq5B0/X9VvH3H6ERI/AAAAAAAAD6U/e5oCA57o_pQWo4BsanWwfuPgfex5e79MACLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/m%2Bhs%2Bfnch%2Bbathing%2Bsm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsElbGBq5B0/X9VvH3H6ERI/AAAAAAAAD6U/e5oCA57o_pQWo4BsanWwfuPgfex5e79MACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/m%2Bhs%2Bfnch%2Bbathing%2Bsm.jpg"/></a></div>One morning last week, this water feature was like a magnet. First I noticed the robins. They hogged the stream for bathing and drinking. I have a bald cypress and a bird feeder near the stream that other small birds started to gather at. A flock of cedar waxwings were like ornaments in the cypress. When the robins left the stream it was fair game for everyone else to move in. And move in they did, darting in and out. Joining the fray were a brown thrasher, yellow-shafted northern flicker, blue jays, cardinals, yellow-rumped warblers, house finches, dark-eyed juncos, goldfinches, tufted titmice, mourning dove, a wren and some other LBBs (little brown birds) that I was not able to quickly identify.
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While I am used to seeing birds visit my backyard regularly, this intensity and variety does not happen all that often and it is such a treat when it does. I have included a couple of pictures I took of birds bathing that morning. There is a yellow-rumped warbler and a goldfinch in the first one and a male house finch in the second photo.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-26280975398907599382020-12-08T19:07:00.239-06:002020-12-08T19:07:00.256-06:00Design This - Replace Kettle Grill Accessory TableMany, many years ago we purchased a wood table for our kettle grill that hooked to the side of the grill. As the weather took its toll on the table, we shored it up but finally this year it was too far gone and pretty much fell apart. I figured I should be able to build a new one using the old pieces as a template.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HS4OcxNMaJs/X8w6CYDQoWI/AAAAAAAAD5o/UU3jvQFwbYg0W2md0Xn9bYSVqryMqUyDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1424/new%2Bgrill%2Btable.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HS4OcxNMaJs/X8w6CYDQoWI/AAAAAAAAD5o/UU3jvQFwbYg0W2md0Xn9bYSVqryMqUyDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/new%2Bgrill%2Btable.jpg"/></a></div>I decided to use cedar because it is more weather resistant than pine. The top was still in good enough shape that I felt confident in my measurements, the base, not so much. I decided to make the top and figure out the base later. After cutting all of the pieces to length, I used my router to round over all four edges. I hand sanded the boards before applying finish. I used a natural cedar stain and after that was completely dry I applied a sealer. When assembling the top I used tile spacers to get consistent spacing between my boards. It turned out that one board was just a tad too long so I had to use my chop saw to take off a tiny ammount. That meant I had a fresh end that needed to be stained and sealed. (two steps forward, one step back) After taking care of that I clamped everything up so I could drill pilot holes for my screws before placing them. Finally I had to cut the curve on one end of the table top so the table would hug the grill. These fresh ends had to be stained and sealed too.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXnPpjEA6a4/X8w6K6NbnyI/AAAAAAAAD5s/sAwIp5D5GUYAAZqBNasj0363KJ-THAcPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1487/new%2Bgrill%2Btable2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1487" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXnPpjEA6a4/X8w6K6NbnyI/AAAAAAAAD5s/sAwIp5D5GUYAAZqBNasj0363KJ-THAcPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/new%2Bgrill%2Btable2.jpg"/></a></div>My process is easy to describe but due to drying times, the stain and the sealer shouldn't be applied the same day. I also fit this project in here and there so the time from start to finish was considerable.
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Now I turned my attention to the legs. They had weathered in such a way that they were not the same length so I had to make an educated guess of the length for the new ones. There was a nifty bit of hardware that attached the legs to the top and I was pleased to find out that I would be able to reuse them after hitting them with some WD-40. The hardware makes a sturdier attachment than just using screws. I was also able to reuse the hooks that go on the end of the table top opposite the legs to hook onto the edge of the grill as well as some hooks I had added to the underside of the original table to hang accessories from. After cutting the legs and the cross brace, I went through the same steps of routing, sanding, staining and sealing.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-135uI5UkAr8/X8w6PfTLq_I/AAAAAAAAD5w/38IAmMB68zcoJt9fNsDLaGDkATGoy8rNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/new%2Bgrill%2Btable3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-135uI5UkAr8/X8w6PfTLq_I/AAAAAAAAD5w/38IAmMB68zcoJt9fNsDLaGDkATGoy8rNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/new%2Bgrill%2Btable3.jpg"/></a></div>Finally, I could put the last pieces together. After putting on the legs I added the hooks to hang the table on the edge of the grill then took it outside to see how it worked. It was great, except that one hook did not rest on the edge of the grill, it was too high. This was perplexing. I moved the grill and table around in case my patio was causing the issue. When that did not work, I took the table back inside to try to figure out what was causing the unevenness. I knew the table top was flat and not warped. The hooks for hanging on the grill had the same profile. I finally found the problem. When attaching the last screw on the last hanging hook, it caused a knot hole to pop loose that caused the unevenness. I glued the knot hole back in place then clamped it up while the glue dried. Finally I was able to reattach the hook and <div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnXDsW27C9A/X85GwBDKvqI/AAAAAAAAD6E/79KUtfKak3YA9Kqz_tnN2hSpgucgfI6nACLcBGAsYHQ/s1620/tree%2Bby%2Blake%2Bfront.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1.2em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnXDsW27C9A/X85GwBDKvqI/AAAAAAAAD6E/79KUtfKak3YA9Kqz_tnN2hSpgucgfI6nACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tree%2Bby%2Blake%2Bfront.jpg"/></a></div> you can see from the photos, the table works like it should now.
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When I was cleaning up between making the top and the legs, I noticed a small cutoff that had a very interesting and unusual grain pattern. I decided to round over its edges and finish it when I finished the legs of the table. The stain really enhanced the grain so that it gave me the impression of a landscape. I enhanced that impression by adding a tree charm so that the image now was of a tree growing by the side of a lake. It is currently sitting in my display case until someone <a href="https://www.etsy.com/EDCCollective/listing/913629769/small-cedar-plaque-art-piece-on-an" target="_blank">wants it for a small accent piece in their home</a>.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-17445933884688077742020-12-04T19:49:00.000-06:002020-12-04T19:49:08.380-06:00Design This - Specific Accent Color Flying Pig Earrings<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj2rDxpP2MQ/X8rkywSL5FI/AAAAAAAAD5I/nkWQIZn3IgQ2VBjXjKHpwM9QmMS6iitiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pnk-wht-clr-AB%2Bbds.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .3em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj2rDxpP2MQ/X8rkywSL5FI/AAAAAAAAD5I/nkWQIZn3IgQ2VBjXjKHpwM9QmMS6iitiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pnk-wht-clr-AB%2Bbds.jpg"/></a></div>Sometimes a custom request is as simple as a change of color. That was the case about a month ago in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSkeptic" target="_blank">EclecticSkeptic Etsy shop</a>. I had an inquiry that referred to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/eclecticskeptic/listing/61323047/when-golden-pigs-fly-colorful-crystal" target="_blank">golden flying pig and colored crystal earrings</a>. I have several color choices available to be purchased and shipped right away in the listing. However, none of the color choices were quite what my customer was looking for. They asked if I could make the earrings with a clear or pink crystal bead.
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I pulled clear and pink crystal beads of the same size as the accent beads in the listing from my stock of possibilities and took a picture to see if any of them would fit the bill. During our ensuing discussions my customer also expressed a preference for gold filled instead of my standard gold plated findings. Luckily I have a small selection of gold filled findings on hand. Once the choices were <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzDXxZOxEdw/X8rldIq5sWI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/Srcm3CStZVIk_ptf9AA5dC4O0eGQgqP1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pnk%2BFP%2Bgf%2BE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1.4em 0em 0em 1em; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzDXxZOxEdw/X8rldIq5sWI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/Srcm3CStZVIk_ptf9AA5dC4O0eGQgqP1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/pnk%2BFP%2Bgf%2BE.jpg"/></a>made I was able to mock up the earrings and quote a price. My customer replied to move forward so I made a custom listing and created the earrings after the purchase was complete.
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I usually end my "Design This" posts encouraging you to contact me if something I have is close to but not quite what you are looking for so that I can see if I can create what you want. This is a perfect example of someone who took a chance and reached out to a seller (me) to see if a little tweek could be done to an existing item to create what they wanted. Contact me with your questions, big or small, to see if I can make your vision a reality.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5256374944895949696.post-22708323179820536392020-11-22T19:51:00.003-06:002020-11-22T19:54:49.312-06:00A New Twist for Making Mustang Grape Jam or Jelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DssQYOtKK-s/X7sSQjref2I/AAAAAAAAD3o/rUmxo3DbbC0bWAZdOqw8N35a0_wKmB_6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/mustang%2Bgrp%2Bclstr%2Bsq%2Bsm.jpg" style="display: block; padding: .7em 1em 0em 0em; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DssQYOtKK-s/X7sSQjref2I/AAAAAAAAD3o/rUmxo3DbbC0bWAZdOqw8N35a0_wKmB_6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mustang%2Bgrp%2Bclstr%2Bsq%2Bsm.jpg"/></a></div>Many years ago my family tried making jam from our <a href="http://eclecticdesignchoices.blogspot.com/2018/07/muscat-muscadine-mustang.html" target="_blank">wild mustang grapes</a> that grow along an old farm fence, with varying degrees of success. I wanted a low sugar jam but even when using low sugar pectin, getting the correct consistency eluded me. I was not an accomplished jelly maker, in fact making a jam from my grapes was my first and second attempts at it. Mustang grape seeds are difficult to separate from the pulp and the skins and juice can irritate one's fingers. My son was especially sensitive. After a couple of seasons with only so so success and life getting rather busy, we did not make any again until this year. The years in between saw me give grapes to others who were interested in trying or were used to working with mustang grapes.
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This past summer we had a very large harvest coming in and for a variety of reasons, the usual suspects could not take the time to put up jelly or make other things like ice cream from my grapes, so I went in search of what I hoped would be a fool proof recipe. I stumbled on <a href="https://fountainavenuekitchen.com/no-sugar-homemade-jam" target="_blank">one recipe that intriqued me</a>. It used chia seeds instead of pectin to set the jam. It was not designed specifically for mustang grapes but I thought I should be able to adapt it.
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While the seeds still took an annoying amount of time to separate from the grape pulp, this method worked very well. The basic steps I took were to measure out 12 ounces of grapes after removing them from their stems and then separating the pulps into one saucepan and the skins into another one. Each saucepan was simmered for 5-10 minutes while covered and pressed with a slotted spoon regularly, especially the pulps to help free the seeds. Before beginning to simmer the pulps, I added 2-3 Tbsp of water to keep them from burning and help break down the pulps so they would release their seeds more easily. Additional water may be needed during simmering. After the skins have softened and released some juice I poured the contents of that saucepan into my VitaMix and blended until mostly smooth. After the pulps simmered I separated out the seeds before adding the skin mixture and 3 Tbsp of honey. Once everything was stirred together I added 2 Tbsp of chia seeds, stirred until incorporated and let set for 5 minutes before putting the jam into jars.
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I hope to get faster at separating the seeds from the pulp, but this recipe is definitely something I look forward to making again next summer when my grapes begin ripening around the 4th of July.Eclectic Design Choiceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05125738611765794942noreply@blogger.com0